About The Art
"Steal This Art" is a dynamic mixed-media art show inspired by the radical activist movements that emerged in America from the 1960s to the 1990s. Drawing influence from coalitions such as the Yippies, the Black Panthers, the Lesbian Avengers, the Chicken Soup Brigade, and the Salsa Soul Sisters, this exhibition channels the energy of political activism through powerful visual statements. The artwork is crafted to resemble political posters and graffiti-covered walls, capturing the bold, rebellious spirit of those movements. It serves as a tribute to the efforts of activists to bring about change and provide mutual aid to marginalized communities.
The exhibit highlights the legacy of mutual aid throughout modern American history, emphasizing how grassroots groups have long worked to address community needs outside traditional systems of support. By revisiting the imagery and ethos of the revolutionary movements of the 20th century, the artwork speaks to the ongoing struggles for social justice, equality, and community solidarity. "Steal This Art" invites viewers to connect with the past while reflecting on how these ideals continue to shape contemporary activism.
The title of the exhibition, "Steal This Art", is a nod to Abbie Hoffman's groundbreaking 1971 book Steal This Book, a manifesto of subversive politics, resistance, and countercultural action. Hoffman, a co-founder of the Yippie movement, famously encouraged readers to challenge authority and reject societal norms. His book provided radical advice on how to disrupt the system, including how to take what you need and build community outside of oppressive structures. By referencing this title, the exhibition calls on viewers to "steal" or reclaim the revolutionary energy of the past and apply it to their own acts of resistance and community-based activism today.
In the spirit of collective action and community care, the artwork will be sold via silent auction, with all proceeds donated to support the ongoing efforts of North Brooklyn Mutual Aid, a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting local communities through mutual aid and direct assistance. This exhibition not only celebrates the radical spirit of political activism but also channels those ideals into real-world impact, allowing art to directly benefit those in need.
"Steal This Art" serves as both an homage to the revolutionary past and a call to action for the future, reminding us that art, like activism, has the power to incite change and build a more just and compassionate society.
About The Artist
Morgan Kennedy began her art career in the early 2000s as a fashion editorial photographer while pursuing her Master’s in Social Work at Columbia University. Balancing these two paths, she quickly realized that her work in both the arts and mental health were deeply intertwined—both fields required a nuanced understanding of human emotion, identity, and the complex narratives that shape our lives. As her career as a social worker began to develop, so did her artistic practice, leading her to explore a broad range of themes through various mediums.
In the early stages of her career, Morgan freelanced as a photographer, focusing on fashion editorial, nightlife, and press kit development. Her 2008 body of work, The Dark Side of Nightlife, exhibited at Stereo NYC, delved into the dichotomy of excitement and emptiness often found in the nightlife world. In 2009, she shifted her focus to The Study of Androgyny, a series exploring the complexities of gender non-conformity and challenging traditional perceptions of identity.
During the 2010s, Morgan transitioned from fashion photography to travel photography, documenting the moody landscapes of the Scottish Highlands and the English countryside. These remote locations allowed her to reflect on themes of trauma, grief, and introspection. As her artistic practice expanded, she began incorporating painting, film, and sculpture to deepen her exploration of emotional complexity. In 2016, a selection of these works was exhibited in The Rise From Rock Bottom: A Multimedia Exhibition of Mindfulness, where Morgan used mixed media to engage with themes of recovery and resilience.
In 2023, Morgan presented her mixed media series Haunt Couture in a solo show at the Cuneen-Hackett Gallery. This series reflected her personal journey as a late-in-life diagnosed Autistic woman, exploring the nuances of identity, sensory overload, and the subtle tensions between societal expectations and individual experience. That same year, selections from her acrylic on wood series Neon Necromancy were exhibited at the Greenpoint Gallery, delving further into themes of memory, absence, and the fragile line between life and death. Additionally, in 2024, Morgan exhibited works from Steal This Art, a project that combined her love for art and activism, focusing on themes of mutual aid and social justice.
Throughout her diverse body of work, Morgan Kennedy continues to bridge her background in mental health and her artistic exploration, using various mediums to engage with complex emotional and societal issues. Her art provides a space for dialogue on trauma, identity, healing, and the ongoing pursuit of justice, offering viewers a reflective space to explore their own experiences and place within the larger narrative of the human condition.
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